Objective of the Game
In The Settlers of Catan: Traders and Barbarians, the main objective is to collect victory points by building trading posts and roads, as well as through strategic trading of resources. The first player to reach a predetermined number of victory points (usually 10) wins the game.
Game Components
- Game Board: A variable board made of hexagonal tiles representing different landscapes.
- Resource Cards: These include brick, wood, ore, grain, and wool.
- Roads, Settlements, and Cities: Game pieces placed on the board to denote trading posts and trade routes.
- Dice: Two six-sided dice that determine the production of landscapes.
Setup
- The variable game board is randomly assembled from hexagonal tiles.
- Each landscape is assigned a number that indicates its production probability when the corresponding dice roll is made.
- Players take turns placing two settlements and two roads.
- Players start with resource cards according to the adjacent fields of their initial settlements.
Game Play
- Rolling the Dice: At the start of their turn, the player rolls the dice. Each landscape with the rolled number produces resources for players with adjacent settlements or cities.
- Trading: Players can trade resources among themselves or use a 4:1 bank trade (players with special trade structures might have a favorable 3:1 or 2:1 trade ratio).
- Building: Players can use resources to build roads, settlements, cities, or buy development cards.
- Roads: Cost 1 wood and 1 brick.
- Settlements: Cost 1 wood, 1 brick, 1 grain, and 1 wool.
- Cities: Are built from settlements and cost 2 grain and 3 ore.
- Development Cards: Cost 1 grain, 1 wool, and 1 ore.
Additional Scenarios
In addition to the basic rules, "Traders and Barbarians" offers several scenarios and variants that expand and alter the game: - Barbarian Attacks: A challenge where players must collaborate to fend off barbarians, or they'll lose resources. - New Trade Routes: Earn additional points by establishing trade routes and trade posts. - Caravan Goods: Special cards that offer extra advantages or points.
Strategic Tips
- Road Building is crucial for expansion and trade since it enables more settlement expansion options and connections to trade points.
- Resource Diversity: Ensure access to as many different resource fields as possible.
- Early Development: Cities are especially valuable since they enhance resource production.
- Flexible Trading: Use trading options wisely to get the needed resources and pay attention to favorable trade ratios.
End of the Game
The game ends immediately when a player reaches the required number of victory points, which makes them the winner.
